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An Investigation Of Registered Nurses’ Knowledge And Decision-Making Processes In Relation To The Management Of Adults With Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Megan Alice Westphalen

Theses

Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute complication of diabetes. Registered nurses (RNs) knowledge with regard to DKA has never been investigated in any depth, nor has their decision making ever been examined in this specific context.

Research Significance: Nursing research literature acknowledges that nurses have an important role in the management of patient with DKA. However, there is very little empirical evidence available to support this claim. The purpose of this study is to provide evidence of the level of knowledge, the decision-making processes and the factors that influence nurses’ decision making whilst managing patients with DKA.

Methodology: A …

The Accuracy And Validity Of Self-Reported Throwing Loads And The Characteristics Of Throws By Elite Cricket Players In Australia, Zachariah G. Hoyne

Theses

Objectives: To determine the relationship between elite cricket player’s self-reported and independently observed throwing volume. Examine whether sex, playing position, or time to upload self-reported data post training influences the accuracy of self-reported throwing loads. Describe the type and number of throws performed during elite cricket training, and identify characteristics such as type, distance and accuracy of throws.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: A total of eight female and 18 male professional cricket players participated in the study. Overarm throws from 12 training sessions during the 2020-21 cricket year were observed. Player self-reported throwing volume data were retrieved …

Intraperitoneal Instillation Of Local Anaesthetic (Ipila) In Bariatric Surgery And The Effect On Post-Operative Pain Scores: A Randomised Control Trial, Ramandeep Kaur

Theses

Background
Effective analgesia during bariatric procedures may be vital as it could reduce post-operative opioid use. This can lead to less nausea which may be associated with shorter post- operative length of stay (LOS). Understanding analgesic requirements in patients with obesity is important due to the varied physiology and increased number of comorbidities.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of IntraPeritoneal Instillation of Local Anaesthetic (IPILA) to reduce opioid requirements in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Methods
A double-blinded randomised control trial was conducted to compare intraperitoneal instillation of ropivacaine to normal saline in 104 …

Does Acupuncture/Dry Needling Improve Pain And Itch In Abnormal Hypertrophic Scars, Catherine Tuckey

Theses

This research program investigated the use of acupuncture intervention as an adjunct for hypertrophic scar (HTS) management. Mechanistic evidence from ex vivo and animal studies suggests that acupuncture has the potential to modulate neurogenic inflammation to influence pain and itch associated with HTS. Further, acupuncture may mediate non-neuronal cells involved in the proliferation and remodelling stage of healing to promote scar maturation. Previous studies using acupuncture for scar management demonstrated positive outcomes, however low-quality clinical trials and case studies provide limited evidence for treatment benefit.

A treatment protocol was designed to investigate the effects of locally applied acupuncture compared to …

Participation Of Tanzanian Nurses And Midwives In The Implementation Of Millennium Development Goals 4 (Reduction Of Child Mortality) And 5 (Improvement Of Maternal Health): A Case Study, Peter Taratara

Theses

In 2000, the United Nations (UN) developed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as an international framework to address poverty, promote sustainable development, and improve global health. The framework was translated into 8 goals with goals 4 and 5 targeting the reduction of child mortality and the improvement of maternal health. The UN and the World Health Organization (WHO) encouraged nurses and midwives to participate in the implementation process of the MDGs, and each country had the responsibility of formulating its own implementation policies and plans. The encouragement to participate was from the understanding that nurses and midwives are the backbone …

A Study On Post-Burn Healing: Optimising Scar Outcome Through The Use Of A Silicone-Based Film-Forming Wound Dressing, Fiona Poelchow

Theses

Introduction

The development of scarring is a normal physiological response during burn wound healing for any except the most trivial of injuries. Burn scarring can cause considerable functional and psychological anguish in burn survivors. Prolonged wound healing has been shown to affect scarring outcomes. Superficial cutaneous wound injuries carry a risk of scarring and altered pigmentation after the wound has healed. The primary aim of this study was to explore the effects of topical silicone on the rate of wound healing in superficial wounds. Secondary aims included investigation of scar and pain outcomes.

Methods

This thesis presents two studies which …

Implementing Quality Improvement Strategies In Real-World General Practice- A Study Focused On Cardiovascular Disease, Charlotte Hespe

Theses

Introduction

General practitioners (GPs) are central to cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and management. However, multiple studies show they have sub-optimal assessment and management of CVD risk. The central question addressed in this thesis was: How do we translate preventive care guidelines into the real world of Australian general practice through Quality Improvement Collaboration (QIC)?

Methods

The research comprised of four studies. The first examined the experiences of stakeholders participating in a quality improvement collaboration (QIC) intervention undertaken in Australian primary care [the Australian Primary Care Collaboratives [APCC] program], and the second assessed implementation of the 2012 CVD risk management guidelines …

Personalised Antimicrobial Dosing In Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis, Sahand Imani

Theses

Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) are predisposed to recurrent pulmonary exacerbations throughout their lifetime. This is characterised by an acute worsening of respiratory symptoms in the setting of bacterial infection and results in significant morbidity and mortality. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy is fundamental to management, in particular aminoglycoside antibiotics. Tobramycin is the preferred aminoglycoside of choice, usually administered intravenously for 7 to 14 days.

Tobramycin dosing can be challenging in patients with CF. This is due to the underlying pharmacokinetic derangements (e.g., volume of distribution, organ function) frequently observed in this population. Accordingly, the use of standard dosing (based on age …

‘Burnt Out Lamps’: Exploring The Impact Of Occupational Stress And Burnout On The Wellbeing Of Intensive Care Nurses In A Tertiary Hospital, Swapna Mathew

Theses

Occupational stress and burnout are commonly experienced by nurses in the intensive care unit and contribute to poor nursing practice. A study in the United Kingdom revealed that approximately one-third of the intensive care unit team members were at a ‘high risk’ for burnout syndrome. Research suggests that multiple factors contribute to occupational stress and burnout, including nursing shortages, staff turnover, high workloads, workplace conflicts, and bullying. Research suggests that the wellbeing of nurses is imperative in ensuring the best delivery of care to patients, which further results in positive health outcomes for patients.

This study was conducted in a …

From Isolation To Inclusion: Embracing Local Perspectives In Examining The Treatment Model Of Care For Aboriginal Persons Affected By Tuberculosis Or Leprosy In The Kimberley Region, North Western Australia, Stefanie Jane Oliver

Theses

In the remote Kimberley region of North Western Australia, tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy continue to affect a small number of Aboriginal people, despite historical efforts to eliminate either disease. Treatment, predominantly antibiotic therapy, is a principal therapeutic intervention used to cure TB and leprosy and halt infection transmission. Decisions made around treatment therefore impact not only the individual person affected, but also their families and communities. The well-worn models of Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) and case management are used nationally to assist treatment continuity and completion. Neither model has been substantiated for cultural appropriateness nor for meeting the specific needs …